194 C. J. MARTIN. 
that of the same blood previously ; and he indicated thea 
between the effects of peptone on the amount of CO, combine 
in the plasma, and on the alkalinity of the blood, with the resu I 
obtained by Walter’ by the introduction of acids into the cireu 
tion. Grandis’” showed that the decrease observed in peptone 
blood was due to the diminution in that portion only of the C0; 
which could be withdrawn by the gas pump, and that the amot 
of fixed CO, was the same as in normal blood. 
The conclusion arrived at is that peptone diminishes the capacity _ 
of the blood to carry away the CO, from the tissues. 
impediment to the removal of CO, has been considered to be the 
probable cause of the narcosis which invariably follows the intro 4 
duction of peptone into the circulation. The general features 
the narcosis which follows the injection of very small amounts of 
venom into the circulation, present a striking similarity to this 
effect of peptone injections. Moreover in those conditions W: 
considerable destruction of blood corpuscles is occurring, 
normal alkalescence of the blood has been found to be diminished. 
In fever Geppert,3 Minkowski,‘ and v. JakscR® have recorded that 
the blood is less alkaline than normally. Kraus® examined 
alkalescence, and amount of CO, contained in the blood after 
intravenous injection of pyrogallol, ether, glycerin and 0 
substances which exert a destructive influence on blood corp’ usc 
In every case he found a considerable diminution in both 
alkalescence and the contained CO.. , 
T have already shown that venom does destroy blood co) 
and that as regards the production of intravascular clotting 
behaviour is analogous to that of the above mentioned col 
1 Die Wirkung der Shares auf de thierische pas ‘ 
oe Path.,” Vol. vir, . 148. 
2Du Bois eRe: koh. ” 1891, p. 499. 
% “ Zeitsch. f. Klin. Med.,” Bd. 11., S. 355. 
_*“ Archiv. f. Exper, Path.,”? Bd. xrx., 8. 209. 
+ * Zeitsch. f. Klin. Med.,’’ Bd. xut., Heft 3. 
“6 “ Archiv. f. Exper. Path.,” Bd. xxvr., S. 186. 
